New National Express chief takes up post

TRANSPORT company National Express has announced that its new chief executive Dean Finch will take up his post on Monday.

Mr Finch is one of Britain’s most experienced transport professionals. Prior to this year he was chief executive of Tube Lines, the world’s largest Private Finance Initiative, which is responsible for maintaining and upgrading half of the London Underground system.
 
Before joining Tube Lines, Mr Finch had worked for over 10 years in senior roles within FirstGroup, where he was managing director of the Rail Division from 2000 – 2004 before being appointed to the FirstGroup main board as group commercial director.

With the completion of the Laidlaw acquisition he became chief operating officer in North America before returning to the UK as group chief operating officer.

John Devaney, executive chairman of National Express (NEX:LSE), said: “Dean’s extensive experience of the transport sector, in Europe and North America as well as the UK makes him uniquely qualified to run a business of this scope and scale.

“He has a proven track record of improving operational performance and delivering financial success in bus, coach and rail businesses.”

Mr Finch’s first task will be to drive the Birmingham-based group’s strategy on delivering excellence from its existing operations.

“Dean is ideally placed to provide the necessary insight and leadership to our experienced management team,” added Mr Devaney.

Mr Finch said in December, when his appointment was first announced, that he was looking forward to strengthening all parts of the group and delivering operational improvements throughout in order to drive shareholder value.